1-2-3 Come Do Some Election-Themed Activities With Me  

When it comes to the election, it's often difficult to find simple and appropriate activities for little learners, which are quick, easy and fun, as well as educational. 

Because of that, I designed some interesting craftivities I think you and your kiddos will enjoy.

First up is the elephant-donkey dangler. Younger kiddos can simply make the “dangler” with several “topper” options to choose from. As you can see by the photograph, there are a variety of ways to put them together.

I knew this was a “winner” when my 4-year-old grandson saw my samples and exclaimed, “Cool. Can I make one?”

He just turned 4 but is very adept with scissors, so I guess if he enjoyed it, perhaps your preschoolers could also make a dangler.

However, I designed this for kindergarten & 1st grade as an art activity, and as a writing prompt for older students 2nd-5th.

Older kiddos can opt for the square “topper” with the star on it, then choose one of the following writing prompts to jot down on the back of it:

* If I could vote I’d be voting for
____________ because . . .
* It’s important to vote because …
* I can’t wait ’til I can vote because …

If you want to mix some non-fiction reading and research into this activity, have students find out the interesting history of the donkey & elephant that are used as symbols to represent the Democratic & Republican parties.
They can write their findings on the back of the topper.

Another option is to have students write the pros and cons of each nominee on the back of their respective animal.

It’s hard to believe in today’s world that not everyone was allowed to vote in the past, so another interesting writing prompt would be for students to find out when and how Afro Americans and women won the right to vote. 

Next up is a writing prompt craftivity that can be used during an election year, or for Presidents Day as well, as the prompt is: "If I Were President..."  

Whenever I add a bit of craftiness to our writing block, my students can't wait to get down to business; so I'm often creating simple "headers" to add some extra pizzazz to generate excitement.

Give your students a choice between the 2 White House "topper" options, which they color, trim and glue to the top of their border paper (To add variety to your display, there are 3 choices.)

I've included black & white patterns as well as color templates, so that you can quickly and easily make a sample to share.

Finally, I wanted to reinforce the alphabet and our study of the letter Vv, as well as build some vocabulary in a fun way, so I designed the "Vv Is For VOTE!" craftivity. 

Younger kiddos can simply make the donkey-elephant “Vv is for vote!” craft. Scatter them on a bulletin board or punch holes in the heads and dangle from the ceiling or as a hallway wall border, then follow things up with the matching worksheet.

The star paper that I used for the letter V is also included.

Since Vv is also for vocabulary too, older students can write as many words as they can think of that start with the letter Vv, then write them on the back of the letter, or jot them down on one of 2 bookmark-size strips, which can be glued to the bottom of the letter.

I’ve included a completed sample for you to share, as well as a list of 61 nouns that begin with the letter Vv, which children should be familiar with.

Another option is to color the boy or girl page and mount that to the bottom of the letter, after completing the writing prompt: “It’s important to vote because …”

There are also 5 other prompt ideas your students can choose.

The writing prompt worksheets come in black and white, as well as full color, so that you can easily make a sample to share.

I’ve also included 3 “badge buttons” students color, cut, trim & wear. 

Today's featured FREEBIE is a set of "It's Time To Vote!" games.  Study analog and digital time with these election-themed games.

Packet includes:

• * Several games
• * Clock spinners
• * Analog clock
• * Traceable digital time cards to the hour and half hour and a ...
• * Blank analog clock cards to be filled in as an assessment or skill practice.

Well that's it for today.  Thanks for popping in.  The color here in Michigan has reached its peak, so time for a nice break to go rustle through some of those vibrant colors.  Wishing you an inspiring, nature-filled day.

"Let your life lightly dance on the edges of time, like dew on the tip of a leaf." - Rabindranath Tagore